5/28 English ivy, NW tribes for salmon, 'murder hornet' summer, WA-BC COVID, Week in Review, weekend tug weather

 

English ivy [KENPEI WikiCommons]

English Ivy Hedera helix
A rampant, clinging evergreen vine, it is a familiar sight in gardens, waste spaces, and wild areas, where it grows on walls, fences, tree trunks, etc. across its native and introduced habitats. As a result of its hardy nature, and its tendency to grow readily without human assistance, English ivy attained popularity as an ornamental plant, but escaped plants have become naturalised outside its native range and grow unchecked in myriad wild and cultivated areas. (Wikipedia)

Northwest tribes unite over GOP congressman’s pitch to breach Lower Snake River dams
The Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians unanimously approved a resolution Thursday calling for breaching of the Lower Snake River dams to rebuild salmon runs, save endangered orcas and secure funding from Congress to replace the benefits of the dams. The group represents 57 Northwest tribal governments from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Northern California, Southeast Alaska and Western Montana. Lynda Mapes reports. (Seattle Times)

12 Northwest tribes say they are united to save salmon
Some Native American tribes in the Pacific Northwest are criticizing the suggestion they have competing opinions on how best to save endangered salmon runs, saying tribes are united in pursuing the removal of four hydroelectric dams on the Snake River in order to preserve the iconic fish. A dozen tribes issued a joint press release on Wednesday rejecting the notion that tribes based near Puget Sound might have differing goals than inland tribes. Nicholas K. Geranios reports. (Associated Press)

Scientists expect ‘murder hornets’ to be found in new areas of Washington
Entomologists at the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) said there was a likelihood Asian giant hornets would be found in areas beyond Whatcom County. Ryan Simms reports. (KIRO)

British Columbia will start lifting COVID restrictions
Officials in British Columbia have announced a gradual easing of COVID-19 restrictions. The news comes after an initial slow start in vaccinations. The restrictions are slowly being lifted in four steps, now that 60 percent of B.C.’s adult population has been vaccinated with at least one dose. Craig McCulloch reports. (KNKX) U.S. border to re-open June 22  According to editor Pat Grubb of The Northern Light: "While there has been no official word, a highly placed source in the Blaine port of entry told local immigration attorney Len Saunders on May 25 that the U.S. intends to unilaterally open the land border without restrictions between the U.S. and Canada on June 22." (The Northern Light)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 5/28/21: Amnesty International, WA wolves, AK cruises, shellfish harvest, Point No Point marsh, 'State of the Salish Sea,' Enviro Heroes, AK oil drill, warming, farmed fish virus, Snake R dams

Now, your weekend tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  250 AM PDT Fri May 28 2021   
TODAY  W wind 10 to 20 kt. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 8 ft  at 9 seconds. A slight chance of showers in the morning. 
TONIGHT  NW wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell  4 ft at 9 seconds. 
SAT  E wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 4 ft at  9 seconds. 
SAT NIGHT  W wind to 10 kt becoming 5 to 15 kt after midnight.  Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 3 ft at 8 seconds. 
SUN  W wind to 10 kt becoming NW 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 1 ft or less building to 1 to 3 ft in the afternoon. W  swell 2 ft at 8 seconds.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe, send your name and email to msato (@) salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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5/26 Knotweed, farmed fish virus, Fairy Cr protest, lowest tide, shellfish harvest, Site C costs, North Slope drilling, protest press, Enviro Heroes, WA 101

Japanese knotweed [King County]

 

Japanese knotweed Fallopia japonica
Invasive knotweeds, mostly non-regulated Class B noxious weeds, are perennials found throughout King County, especially on roadways and riverbanks. Growing in large, dense thickets, they reach 4-13 feet tall, with bamboo-like, green-reddish canes and branched clusters of small white to pink flowers. They reproduce mainly vegetatively via extensive roots and rhizomes, a stem fragments. These plants are highly aggressive, clogging waterways, eroding banks, and even growing through building foundations. (King County)

Farmed fish the source of virus spread among wild salmon, B.C. study suggests
Evidence shows a debilitating virus found in British Columbia salmon was transferred from Atlantic fish farms, which then spread from Pacific aquaculture operations into wild fish, says a study published Wednesday. The researchers used genome sequencing to trace the piscine orthoreovirus, or PRV, that they say was first introduced to B.C. waters from Norway about 30 years ago at the start of open-net pen aquaculture in the province. The study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Science Advances, says the evidence now suggests the virus is continuously spread between farmed and wild Pacific salmon as they migrate past the farms. Dirk Meissner reports. (Canadian Press)

Protesters vow to fight on as B.C. RCMP continue enforcement against old-growth logging blockades
Police used jackhammers and pickaxes on Wednesday as they tried to remove a group of protesters who had secured themselves to the ground in a demonstration against old-growth logging on Vancouver Island. More than 30 RCMP officers were on scene on Braden Road near Port Renfrew as they tried to extract five people who had partially buried themselves in the logging road. At total of 127 people have been arrested since police moved in last week. (CBC) See also: A Giant Old Growth Cedar Rolling Down a BC Highway Went Viral. What’s Its Story?  As a new ‘war in the woods’ brews, a social media post has emerged as a rallying call. Andrew MacLeod reports. (The Tyee)

Lowest tides of the year coming this week to Puget Sound. Here’s how to make the most of them
The Puget Sound area is set to see some of the lowest tides of the year this week, thanks to the super blood moon. It’s a great opportunity to learn about the life and ecosystems found at the beach. Amanda Zhou reports. (Seattle Times)

More beaches open for shellfish harvesting
Recreational shellfish harvesting is open on Strait of Juan de Fuca beaches from Lyre River east to Discovery Bay, which is closed for all species of shellfish. Sequim Bay and Dungeness Bay are open for shellfish harvesting except for butter and varnish clams, which hold onto toxins for up to a year. In Jefferson County, Quilcene Bay beaches are now open for the harvesting of all species of shellfish. (Peninsula Daily News)

NDP ducks questions about whether Site C cost could soar more
Vaughn Palmer writes: "Three months after green-lighting Site C for the second time, the John Horgan NDP government still has not finalized a budget or a construction schedule for the troubled B.C. Hydro project. Energy Minister Bruce Ralston refused during debate on his ministry budget last week to commit to either the $16 billion costing or the 2025 completion date that Premier John Horgan announced Feb. 26 when he said Site C construction would continue." (Vancouver Sun)

Earth Is Barreling Toward 1.5 Degrees Celsius Of Warming, Scientists Warn
The average temperature on Earth is now consistently 1 degree Celsius hotter than it was in the late 1800s, and that temperature will keep rising toward the critical 1.5-degree Celsius benchmark over the next five years, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization. Rebecca Hersher reports. (NPR)

Biden Administration Defends Huge Alaska Oil Drilling Project
The Biden administration is defending a huge Trump-era oil and gas project in the North Slope of Alaska designed to produce more than 100,000 barrels of oil a day for the next 30 years, despite President Biden’s pledge to pivot the country away from fossil fuels. The multibillion-dollar plan from ConocoPhillips to drill in part of the National Petroleum Reserve was approved by the Trump administration late last year. Lisa Friedman reports. (NY Times)

‘Enough is enough’: Canadian news organizations file legal action for press freedom at Fairy Creek
The Canadian Association of Journalists, along with a coalition of news organizations including The Narwhal, are demanding the RCMP ensure journalists fair access to demonstrations and arrests taking place at old-growth logging blockades on Vancouver Island. Sarah Cox reports. (The Narwhal)

Future meets heritage in this year’s awards
Each year, RE Sources holds its Environmental Heroes Awards celebration and fundraiser where the environmental advocacy group recognizes individuals doing remarkable work to protect the Central Salish Sea region’s environment and communities. The Environmental Heroes Awards celebrate the accomplishments of individuals in Whatcom, Skagit, and San Juan counties whose work has had significant, lasting impact. This year's honorees at the June 9 online event are Darrell Hillaire, Mary Ruth Holder and London Fletcher. Tim Johnson reports. (Cascadia Weekly)

Washington 101
A new website by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources helps connect people to the state’s rich and diverse geologic history. (Washington Department of Natural Resources)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  251 AM PDT Thu May 27 2021   
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM PDT THIS MORNING  THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON   
TODAY  S wind 10 to 20 kt becoming SW 15 to 25 kt in the  afternoon. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. SW swell 6 ft at 9 seconds. Rain  in the morning then showers in the afternoon. 
TONIGHT  W wind 10 to 20 kt. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. SW swell  7 ft at 9 seconds. Showers likely in the evening then a chance of  showers after midnight.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe, send your name and email to msato (@) salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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5/26 Oregon grape, 'State of the Salish Sea,' PFASs in milk, Fairy Cr protest, Point No Point, birds in pandemic, healing nature

Oregon Grape [Meggar/WikiCommons]

 
Oregon Grape Mahonia aquifolium
Also called holly-leaved barberry, the Oregon grape is a shrub native to much of the Pacific coast and and is also found sparsely east of the Cascades. Its year-round foliage of pinnated, waxy green leaves resembles holly.and resists wilting (the foliage is sometimes used by florists for greenery). The Oregon grape plant bears dainty yellow flowers in early summer and a dark blue berry that ripens late in the fall. The fruit is tart and bitter, containing large seeds, but can be used in cooking (it's used to make jelly locally). Oregon designated the Oregon grape blossom as the official state flower in 1899. (State Symbols USA)

Salish Sea Institute Releases Comprehensive ‘State of the Salish Sea’ Report
Western Washington University’s Salish Sea Institute has released the “State of the Salish Sea” report, the first comprehensive, scientific overview of the health of the Salish Sea since the 1994 Shared Waters Report. The report illustrates how the Salish Sea is under relentless pressure from an accelerating convergence of global and local environmental stressors and the cumulative impacts of 150 years of development and alteration of our watersheds and seascape. Report authors will discussed the report today at 4 p.m. at an free online symposium.

Seattle study finds toxic chemicals in mothers' breast milk
New research is raising concerns over toxic chemicals being found in breast milk. A paper published this month in Environmental Science and Technology followed 50 Seattle-area women, looking for PFAS (pre and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in their breast milk. “We found PFAS in 100% of the breast milk samples,” said Erika Schreder, science director at the Seattle nonprofit Toxic-Free Future and co-author of the paper. “And that includes the PFAS that are currently being used.” PFASs are a class of chemicals valued for water and grease repelling properties. They can be found in many everyday products, from stain resistant coatings on carpets and couches, to non-stick coatings for cookware. The chemicals can also be found in food packaging. Michael Crowe reports. (KING)

‘We’re going to have Fairy Creeks happen all the time’: Q&A with Garry Merkel from B.C.’s old-growth review panel
As tensions escalate and arrest tallies grow at logging blockades on Vancouver Island, The Narwhal spoke with one of the foresters tapped to help the province navigate its old-growth woes. Sarah Cox reports. (The Narwhal)

Marsh habitat restoration project planned at Point No Point aims to help salmon
A 32-acre area at Point No Point will undergo a habitat restoration led by the Mid Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group that aims to restore critical salmon habitat. The nonprofit, which was created by the Legislature and partners with groups on salmon restoration, is working with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, Kitsap County Parks and the Hansville community on the restoration project that will reconnect the Point No Point marsh to Puget Sound. Mid Sound has been reaching out to various groups to get their input on the project. Jessie Darland reports. (Kitsap Sun)

How birds in the Pacific Northwest experienced the pandemic
A community science effort asked hundreds of Northwest residents to keep tabs on birds, and they learned a lot about themselves in the process. Hannah Weinberger reports. (Crosscut)

Are COVID-19 Lockdowns Really Causing Nature to Heal?
As the COVID-19 pandemic took hold last spring and people around the world went into lockdown, a certain type of news story started to spring up—the idea that, in the absence of people, nature was returning to a healthier, more pristine state. There were viral reports of dolphins in the canals of Venice, Italy, and pumas in the streets in Santiago, Chile. But new research shows that the true effect of suddenly removing people from so many environments has turned out to be much more complex. Brian Owens reports. (Hakai Magazine)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  305 AM PDT Wed May 26 2021   
TODAY  S wind to 10 kt becoming NE 5 to 15 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 1 ft at 9 seconds. A slight  chance of rain in the afternoon. 
TONIGHT  E wind to 10 kt rising to 10 to 20 kt after midnight.  Wind waves 1 ft or less building to 1 to 3 ft after midnight. SW  swell 2 ft at 8 seconds building to 4 ft at 8 seconds after  midnight. Rain.

--

"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe, send your name and email to msato (@) salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

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Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told

5/25 California poppy, Fairy Cr protest, shellfish harvest, AK cruise ships OK'd, witches cauldron, invasive species

California Poppy [Wikipedia]

 
California Poppy Eschscholzia californica
 In spite of the beauty of its blossom, the California Poppy is considered to be a weed by many people. Native to North America, scattered wild populations of this plant are found in most states. However, since it was first collected on a Russian exploratory voyage to the west coast of North America in the early 19th century, it is likely that most of the eastern populations are the result of seeds and plants brought back from the west, rather than from native populations in those areas. The California Poppy is the state flower of California. (Wildflowers of the US)

More arrests Monday at old-growth logging blockades on Vancouver Island
Mounties say five more people have been arrested on southern Vancouver Island during protests against old-growth logging. Police say 53 people have been arrested in total since an injunction started to be enforced last week. (Canadian Press)

Hoodsport beaches to open for shellfish harvesting for first time in 45 years
The Washington State Department of Health has upgraded its water quality rating for a stretch of tidelands near Hoodsport in southern Hood Canal, certifying that clams and oysters there are now safe to eat. Those beaches have been closed to harvesting for 45 years. They are opening after four years of cleanup efforts, according to the Puget Sound Institute at University of Washington Tacoma. Amanda Zhou reports. (Seattle Times) See also: Increase in illegal shellfish harvesting could lead to fatal poisonings, officials fear  Since pandemic began, fisheries officers say they're seeing 3 times as many people harvesting in closed areas. Susana da Silva reports. (CBC)

Biden signs bill opening door for Alaska cruises to resume
President Joe Biden signed into law Monday legislation that opens a door for resumed cruise ship travel to Alaska after the pandemic last year scrapped sailings. The measure pushed by members of Alaska's Republican congressional delegation will allow large cruise ships to sail directly from Washington state to Alaska without stopping in Canada. It is intended as a temporary workaround of a longstanding federal law that requires certain large cruise ships bound for Alaska to stop in Canada or start trips there. Becky Bohrer reports. (Associated Press)

Discovery of rare mushroom in northern B.C. a biology mystery
Witches cauldron is typically found in northern Europe, where it's threatened and in decline. (CBC)

As in a pandemic, the battle against invasive species may well depend on early actions
Chris Dunagan writes: "As Americans, we have become all too familiar with the spread of a deadly virus and the terrible consequences of a delayed response to an outbreak. As a result of our experience, I’m wondering if some of us might have a more visceral sense about the need to control invasive species. I’m not saying that the ecological, economic and cultural disturbances wrought by invasive species are on parr with a massive loss of human life. But the common denominator is a biological perturbation that occurs suddenly and threatens to expand rapidly out of control, leaving permanent damage. The ultimate outcome depends on reaction to the threat." (Puget Sound Institute)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  241 AM PDT Tue May 25 2021   
TODAY  W wind to 10 kt rising to 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 1 ft or less building to 1 to 3 ft in the afternoon. W  swell 3 ft at 10 seconds. A slight chance of showers. 
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming to 10 kt after midnight.  Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 3 ft at 10 seconds. A slight  chance of showers in the evening.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe, send your name and email to msato (@) salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

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5/24 Scotch broom, Inslee 'a snake,' Fairy Cr protest, WA wolves, Seed the North, beach monitoring, Reef-net fishery, quarry permit, Skagit mining, old turtle

Scotch Broom [WA NWCB]

Scotch Broom Cytisus scoparius
Scotch broom is a Class B noxious weed listed by the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board. It is a perennial, many-branched, shrub ranging in height from 3 to 10 feet tall. Scotch broom can be found on roadsides, pastures, grasslands, open areas and areas of recent soil disturbance. Scotch broom reproduces by seed. Each seed can remain viable for over 30 years (some estimates are as long as 80 years). (WA Noxious Weed Control Board)

Tribal leaders call Inslee 'a snake' after he vetoes climate law's tribal consent measure
Tribal leaders are saying Washington Gov. Jay Inslee used and betrayed them after he vetoed a provision requiring tribal consent for some environmental projects. “The only thing I will ever agree with Donald Trump about is that Jay Inslee is a snake,” said Fawn Sharp, president of the National Congress of American Indians and vice president of the Quinault Indian Nation, in a statement issued Friday. John Ryan reports. (KUOW)

Arrests on Vancouver Island over old-growth logging blockades tally 33 on Saturday
More than 20 activists were arrested on southern Vancouver Island on Saturday, including a prominent environmentalist [Tzeporah Berman], as RCMP continue to enforce a court order to allow logging in the area. B.C. RCMP began enforcing a court injunction this week that orders the removal of blockades set up to protest the logging of certain parts of a 595-square-kilometre area near Port Renfrew. (CBC)

After being driven to near extinction, wolves are back in Washington. Can we coexist with them?
...Today, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife kills wolves only when they have repeatedly killed cattle, a relatively rare event, with about 80% of Washington wolf packs typically staying out of trouble with people. Lynda Mapes reports. (Seattle Times) See also: All about wolves: Where they come from, how long they live and more  (Seattle Times) And:  Putting the wolf at the center of its own life story and powerful return to the state  (Seattle Times)

Ambitious B.C. project aims to fight climate change one seed at a time
Seed the North will collect seeds and use drone technology to drop them over areas disturbed by both natural disaster and industry. Amanda Follett Hosgood reports. (Crosscut)

American Constellation at Port Angeles pier for cruise season start
The cruise ship American Constellation sits at Port Angeles City Pier on Friday, marking the beginning of cruise season on the Salish Sea and Puget Sound. The ship, and its sister vessel American Spirit, both part of American Cruise Lines, are scheduled for weekly visits to Port Angeles, Port Townsend and other regional destinations out of Seattle from now through October. Keith Thorpe reports. (Peninsula Daily News) See also: After one-year pandemic hiatus, cruise ships return to Anacortes  Jaqueline Allison reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

EPA Grants to Allow Monitoring of Beach Water Quality in Alaska, Oregon and Washington
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will grant $723,000 to carry out beach water quality monitoring and public notification programs in Alaska, Oregon and Washington as well as by the Makah and Swinomish Tribes. The funding will assist EPA’s partners with local monitoring of bacteria levels which can become too high for safe swimming and efforts to notify the public about potential health risks. Shereen Hashem reports. (EPA Online)

Coast Salish Reef-net Fishery, Part 1
Reef-net fishing technology is unique to the Salish Sea, where it was devised at least 1,800 years ago as a way to intercept vast midsummer runs of sockeye salmon as they passed through the San Juans and southern Gulf Islands on their way to the Fraser River. Russell Barsh writes. (History Link) Coast Salish Reef-net Fishery, Part 2  Coast Salish peoples of the San Juan Islands and southern Gulf Islands used their unique reef-net fishing technology to harvest large quantities of sockeye salmon as the fish passed through the islands each summer, providing dependable winter food supplies and significant surplus for trade. Russell Barsh writes. (History Link)

Work curtailed at Abbotsford quarry after province suspends wildlife permit
A permit issued by the province allowing a company in Abbotsford to work in and around vulnerable birds at an active quarry has been suspended. When a pair of falcons returned to the site this spring to nest, advocates for the birds complained to the company and province that mitigation efforts to help the birds, including a 50-metre non-disturbance buffer, were not enough to keep the birds from abandoning the site where drilling and blasting is ongoing. Chad Pawson reports. (CBC)

From La Conner to Hamilton, local governments oppose mining in Skagit River headwaters
Government leaders tasked with protecting the health, safety and quality of life of residents living along and relying upon the Skagit River are joining the groundswell of opposition to potential mining in the river's headwaters in British Columbia. Kimberly Cauvel reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

Fossil hunter finds 84-million-year-old fossilized turtle in B.C.
Experts believe the prehistoric specimen is either one of two known species of ancient sea turtle previously found in the area — or a new species altogether. Amy Smart reports. (Canadian Press)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  226 AM PDT Mon May 24 2021   
TODAY  NE wind to 10 kt becoming SE in the afternoon. Wind  waves 1 ft or less. W swell 4 ft at 10 seconds. Rain. 
TONIGHT  Light wind becoming NW to 10 kt after midnight. Wind  waves less than 1 ft becoming 1 ft or less after midnight. W  swell 3 ft at 10 seconds. Showers likely in the evening then a  chance of showers after midnight.

--

"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe, send your name and email to msato (@) salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

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Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told

 

5/21 Green urchin, BC biodiversity, Fairy Cr protest, cruise ship return, cross-border media, week in review

Green sea urchin [iNaturalist]

 
Green sea urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis
Green sea urchins have a circumpolar distribution, ranging into the Arctic regions of both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It is found on the east coast of North America as far south as Cape Cod and in deeper waters to New Jersey, while its distribution ranges southwards to Puget Sound on the west coast. They live mostly in shallow waters, with a preference for rocky bottom in areas that are not subject to extreme wave action, but they have been found at depths of more than 1,000 metres. They tend to move around more frequently than their relative, the red sea urchin, and it is believed they may migrate on a seasonal basis. Green sea urchins are fished commercially for their roe, the majority of which is exported to Asia. (DFO)

B.C. failing to meet international targets for protecting biodiversity, critical habitat: report
A decade after Aichi biodiversity targets were set by Canada and other nations, a new report looks at how B.C. measures up, finding the province has failed to protect nature in the midst of a growing global ecological crisis. Sarah Cox reports. (The Narwhal)

More Arrests at Fairy Creek Blockade and Protest in Victoria
RCMP abandons plan to pause enforcement when old-growth protesters return to ‘cleared’ area. Rochelle Baker reports. (The Tyee)

Seattle-Alaska cruises to resume in July, boosting local economy
Several cruise lines said Thursday they will restart roundtrip cruises from Seattle to Alaska this summer, signaling the return of a significant slice of Seattle’s economy. (Seattle Times) U.S. cruise law puts B.C. economic benefits at risk: Harbour authority  The proposed legislation passed Thursday applies to cruise ships travelling between Washington state and Alaska and gives them the green light to sail past B.C. ports without stopping, a requirement introduced more than a century ago to protect U.S. shipbuilders and operators. Amy Smart reports. (Canadian Press)

Reporting on Ecotopia: Cross-border environmental media in the Salish Sea & Cascadia
Today, Friday May 21, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. join in on Zoom to a panel forum about the evolution of media and news venues in our cross-border region. Speakers include Jude Isabella, Hakai Magazine; Lisa Johnson, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation; Lynda Mapes, The Seattle Times; and Mike Sato, Salish Current. Moderated by Derek Moscato and co-hosted by Border Policy Research Institute, Center for Canadian-American Studies, Salish Sea Institute, the Journalism Department, and Salish Sea Communications in partnership with the WWU Alumni Association. Register here.

Salish Sea News Week in Review 5/21/21:  Big One, deer kill, forage fish data, culvert hunters, climate funds, fossil fuel use, Inslee's green bills, wild fishers, BC old-growth, single-use plastics, biodiversity measures

Now, your weekend tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  245 AM PDT Fri May 21 2021   
TODAY  W wind to 10 kt becoming NW 10 to 20 kt in the  afternoon. Wind waves 1 ft or less building to 1 to 3 ft in the  afternoon. W swell 5 ft at 7 seconds. 
TONIGHT  W wind 10 to 20 kt becoming 5 to 15 kt after midnight.  Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 3 ft at 13 seconds. 
SAT  W wind to 10 kt becoming 5 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Wind  waves 2 ft or less. W swell 3 ft at 12 seconds. 
SAT NIGHT  W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming to 10 kt after midnight.  Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 4 ft at 11 seconds. 
SUN  SW wind 5 to 15 kt becoming 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 6 ft at 10 seconds.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe, send your name and email to msato (@) salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

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5/20 Bluebells, BC old growth, tree-free paper, Fairy Cr protest, cross-border media forum, shark fin fine, single-use plastics

Bluebells [The Spruce/Evgeniya Vlasova]

Bluebells Hyacinthoides hispanica
Spanish bluebell is a late-blooming spring bulb. It is in the asparagus family, as are lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis) and Adam's needle (Yucca filamentosa). The flowers are bell-shaped and about 3/4 inch long. They bloom later than bulb plants such as snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis), but many gardeners find this tardiness a benefit, not a drawback. (The Spruce)

‘We don’t have time’: scientists urge B.C. to immediately defer logging in key old-growth forests amid arrests
One year after an independent panel recommended the province immediately halt logging in B.C’s rarest forests, no meaningful deferrals have been implemented. Matt Simmons reports. (The Narwhal)

Tree-Free Paper is rescuing forests and farmers in Washington
Creating paper from wheat waste gives forests a break — and harvesters a new revenue stream. Britany Robinson reports. (Crosscut)

Mounties make 7 more arrests at protest over old-growth logging on Vancouver Island
Remote forest areas of southern Vancouver Island were the scene of more arrests as police continue to enforce a British Columbia Supreme Court injunction against anti-old growth logging protesters camped in the wilderness. RCMP Cpl. Chris Manseau said seven people were arrested Wednesday, bringing the total number who have been arrested to 14 since Tuesday. (Canadian Press)

Reporting on Ecotopia: Cross-border environmental media in the Salish Sea & Cascadia
Tomorrow, Friday May 21, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., join in on Zoom to a panel forum about the evolution of media and news venues in our cross-border region. Speakers include Jude Isabella, Hakai Magazine; Lisa Johnson, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation; Lynda Mapes, The Seattle Times; and Mike Sato, Salish Current. Moderated by Derek Moscato of Western Washington Universtiy and co-hosted by Border Policy Research Institute, Center for Canadian-American Studies, Salish Sea Institute, the Journalism Department, and Salish Sea Communications in partnership with the WWU Alumni Association. Register here.

B.C.-based company fined $60K for importing thousands of fins from threatened shark species
A B.C.-based company has been fined $60,000 for illegally importing thousands of dried fins from a threatened species of shark from Hong Kong to Canada. Kiu Yick Trading Co. Ltd. tried to import 13 boxes of silky shark fins without a permit as part of a bigger shipment in February 2018, according to the federal government. (CBC)

Half of the world’s single-use plastic waste is from just 20 companies, says a study
In 2019, more than 130 million metric tons of single-use plastics were thrown away, with most of that waste burned, buried in a landfill or dumped directly into the ocean or onto land. Now, a new report finds that just 20 companies account for more than half of all single-use plastic waste generated worldwide. The report, published Tuesday by Australia's Minderoo Foundation, offers one of the fullest accountings, to date, of the companies behind the production of single-use plastics that researchers believe could account for as much as 10% of global greenhouse emissions by 2050. The study identifies 20 companies as the source of 55% of the world's single-use plastic waste, while the top 100 companies account for more than 90%. Jason Breslow reports. (NPR)

Now, your tug weather--West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  239 AM PDT Thu May 20 2021   
TODAY  W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 5 ft at 9 seconds. 
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming SW to 10 kt after midnight.  Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 4 ft at 7 seconds.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe, send your name and email to msato (@) salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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5/19 Sparrow, Big One, Kuperberg returns, Clallam shores, Fairy Cr protest, Big Melt at Bute Inlet, eucistic crab, wild fishers born

White-crowned sparrow [Gregg Thompson]

White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys
The White-crowned Sparrow is a distinctive bird with bold black and white stripes on its head. It has a clear, gray breast and belly, long tail, and wings distinctly marked with two white wing-bars. The beak is orange-yellow to reddish-brown depending on the subspecies. Young birds are streaked overall until August, when they take on a juvenile plumage similar to the adult; they have brown and tan head stripes rather than black and white, which they keep until the spring. (BirdWeb)

Aftermath: Infrastructure won’t fare well in a big quake
Even at its outermost reaches, the first vibrations feel like a large train passing a few feet away. Dinner plates crash to the floor in Port Townsend. Windows shatter in Oak Harbor. Families in Auburn parks feel convulsions under their feet. At the epicenter in Everett, heavy furniture jitters across the floor. Tremors damage even buildings specifically designed to withstand earthquakes. Part 3 of 3. Julia Grace-Sanders reports. (Everett Herald)

White House brings back climate scientist forced out by Trump administration
The Biden administration has reinstalled the director of the federal climate program that produces the U.S. government’s definitive reports on climate change, after the Trump administration removed him in November. Michael Kuperberg, the climate scientist who ran the program for six years during Democratic and Republican administrations, was reinstated Monday, the White House confirmed. Jason Samenow reports. (Washington Post)

Land purchase to expand public access to Strait shoreline
Clallam County has purchased a 2.7-acre parcel in Clallam Bay that will expand public shoreline access along the Strait of Juan de Fuca. County commissioners voted 3-0 Tuesday to approve the $90,000 purchase of the vacant parcel at 16401 state Highway 112 from Kevin and Kelly Bonsell. The land will be added to the existing 8.6-acre Clallam Bay West County Park and will increase public access to saltwater beaches. Rob Ollikainen reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

Police arrest 5 protesters at Fairy Creek logging blockade
Police have arrested seven people at the Fairy Creek logging blockade on Vancouver Island as they enforced an injunction Tuesday. The RCMP promised "police action'' earlier this week as Mounties enforce a court injunction against the blockade protesting logging operations on southern Vancouver Island. The force announced Monday that it is temporarily controlling access to the Fairy Creek watershed northeast of Port Renfrew, B.C., enforcing the April 1 injunction that allows Teal-Cedar Products to start logging activities. Dirk Meissner reports. (Canadian Press)

The Bute Inlet Disaster: How Dying Glaciers Can Unleash Devastation
The Big Melt is no slow drip. It can trigger sudden landslides and tsunamis. Last in a series. Christopher Pollon reports. (The Tyee)

Out of the frying pan, into the aquarium: Sidney centre gets unique crab
Ordinarily, a Dungeness crab caught in a net wouldn’t mean much more than dinner time. The crustaceans are a mainstay of seafood lovers. But a crab that was caught by fishers in a catch off of Sooke was spared due to his unique features. Typically Dungeness crabs are grey-brown with tinges of purple and white-tipped claws. According to the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea in Sidney, the crab appears to be leucistic, a term for a partial lack of pigment. Tim Ford reports. (Victorial Buzz)

1st wild fishers born in North Cascades in decades
The first wild members of the wolverine family known as fishers have been born in the North Cascades for the first time in decades. A coalition of wildlife agencies announced the discovery Monday, saying a female fisher was seen on a trail camera in April, KING-TV reported. The fisher was photographed moving four kits at her den in western Chelan County. (Associated Press)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  243 AM PDT Wed May 19 2021   
TODAY  NW wind to 10 kt rising to 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 1 ft or less building to 1 to 3 ft in the afternoon. W  swell 5 ft at 12 seconds. A slight chance of showers. 
TONIGHT  W wind 10 to 20 kt becoming SW to 10 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft subsiding to 1 ft or less after  midnight. W swell 5 ft at 11 seconds.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe, send your name and email to msato (@) salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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5/18 Blackmouth salmon, Mount St. Helens, Inslee's green bills, HEAL Act, greenhouse gasses, Swift R, BC climate funds, BC mines, Big Oil vs cities

Blackmouth salmon [WDFW]

 
Blackmouth salmon
For the uninitiated, “Blackmouth” is the term used to describe immature Chinook salmon that hang around our “inside” waters rather than hot-footing it out into the open Pacific to feed for most of their lives. The name comes from the dark gum line that helps distinguish the chinook from other Pacific salmon species. And it should be pointed out that “immature” doesn’t necessarily mean small. Yes, many of the Blackmouth you’ll catch during a typical Washington winter will weigh in at three to seven or eight pounds, but 10-, 12-, 15-pound fish are common enough to keep it interesting. (Salmon University)

Mount St. Helens, which erupted 41 years ago, starts reopening after COVID closures
On the morning of May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted, blowing away the top of the mountain and triggering landslides, mud flows and floods that killed 57 people, destroyed 200 homes and flattened 230 square miles of forest. Last year, an abundance of 40th anniversary of events had been planned, but were forced online or canceled when the pandemic shut down the county and state. Gifford Pinchot National Forest spokesperson Gala Miller said the Forest Service still is waiting to see if the Johnson Ridge Observation Center will be open to the public this year. Marissa Heffernan reports. (Longview Daily News)

Inslee signs climate bills, but vetoes parts that tie them to passage of transportation package
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee Monday signed into law a carbon-cap program and a clean-fuels standard, but vetoed parts of those bills requiring a new statewide transportation-funding package in order for the ambitious climate legislation to take effect. Inslee’s move essentially scrapped the “grand bargain” that was struck in the Senate to make sure those two bills passed the Legislature last month. Joseph O'Sullivan and Hal Bernton report. (Seattle Times)

Inslee signs ambitious environmental protection laws
Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee signed a series of bills Monday designed to strengthen the environment in Washington state. Inslee signed the Climate Commitment Act, environmental justice legislation, a clean fuels standard and bills related to reducing Washington’s single-use plastic waste and hydrofluorocarbon pollution. Nicholas K. Geranios reports. (Associated Press)

Inslee signing HEAL Act to ensure environmental justice in WA
Environmental justice will be center stage Monday morning in Seattle’s Duwamish River Valley. That's where Gov. Jay Inslee is signing the so-called “HEAL Act.” The acronym promises Healthy Environment for All. It comes in the wake of the creation of a statewide environmental disparities map that shows disproportionate pollution levels – hardest hit are low-income areas where people of color tend to live. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX)

Nations Must Drop Fossil Fuels, Fast, World Energy Body Warns
Nations around the world would need to immediately stop approving new coal-fired power plants and new oil and gas fields and quickly phase out gasoline-powered vehicles if they want to avert the most catastrophic effects of climate change, the world’s leading energy agency said Tuesday. In a sweeping new report, the International Energy Agency issued a detailed road map of what it would take for the world’s nations to slash carbon dioxide emissions to net zero by 2050. That would very likely keep the average global temperature from increasing 1.5 Celsius above preindustrial levels — the threshold beyond which scientists say the Earth faces irreversible damage. Brad Plumer reports. (NY Times) See also: A ‘narrow’ pathway to a net zero future for greenhouse gases, IEA says  Steven Murson reports. (Washington Post)

Swift River to get less swift in effort to abate slow-moving Sumas Mountain landslide
...For decades, a slow-moving landslide on the west side of Sumas Mountain near Everson, Whatcom County, has dumped naturally occurring asbestos and metals into Swift Creek. And for decades, people have dredged the creek to limit downstream flooding...Well, this year, all that comes to a stop — or more accurately, a slow. Whatcom County will soon begin construction as part of the Swift Creek Action Plan, which will ultimately slow the Swift Creek enough so that sediment settles out of the water in the creek’s upper reaches. Yihyun Jeong reports. (Seattle Times)

B.C. government ending climate program for municipalities
The sudden cancellation of a climate action program that provided municipal governments with millions of dollars every year has local politicians scratching their heads...The program was created after B.C. implemented a carbon tax in 2010, and provides all local and regional governments grants equal to the amount of tax they paid. In exchange, cities must disclose how they used the money to further their climate goals, with the majority also reporting their greenhouse gas emissions. Justin McElroy reports. (CBC)

These 12 B.C. mines pose risks to salmon, caribou, water: report
B.C.’s mineral resources are sought after to support the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, but the province’s mining rules and regulations — some of which date back to the 1800s — have left a patchwork of dangerous and polluting mines across the province, according to a new report released Monday by SkeenaWild Conservation Trust and the BC Mining Law Reform Network. Matt Simmons reports. (The Narwhal)

Supreme Court Gives Big Oil a Win in Climate Fight With Cities
The Supreme Court handed a victory to fossil fuel companies on Monday in a major climate change case, but gave the industry far less than it had asked for. The decision in the case did not deal with the merits of the lawsuit, which Baltimore filed to try to compel fossil fuel companies to help pay the costs of dealing with climate change. Instead, the justices focused on narrow issues concerning the rules for appealing lower-court decisions that send cases to state courts. By a 7-1 decision, the Supreme Court on Monday sent the case back to the Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit to reconsider the industry’s demand that it review a lower-court decision to have the case proceed in state courts. John Schwartz reports. (NY Times)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  253 AM PDT Tue May 18 2021   
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON PDT TODAY   
TODAY  W wind 15 to 25 kt easing to 10 to 20 kt in the  afternoon. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft subsiding to 1 to 3 ft in the  afternoon. W swell 5 ft at 9 seconds. Showers likely and a slight  chance of tstms. 
TONIGHT  W wind 10 to 20 kt becoming NW 5 to 15 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 4 ft at 12 seconds.  Showers likely and a slight chance of tstms in the evening then a  slight chance of showers after midnight.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe, send your name and email to msato (@) salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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5/17 Orange honeysuckle, culverts, forage fish, BC steelhead, Big One, green crab, deer kill, 'unceded' land

Orange honeysuckle [Xera Plants]

 
Orange honeysuckle Lonicera ciliosa
The orange honeysuckle is a twining deciduous perennial vine with hollow twigs which grows in open-to-dense forests. it grows from British Columbia to Oregon, and east to Montana. This plant grows on both sides of the Cascades crest, and at the coast in Washington. Many Pacific Northwest tribes (including the Chehalis, Klallam, Lummi, and Nlaka'pamux, and others) have used an infusion of crushed leaves as a hair wash for hair growth. A poultice of chewed leaves has been applied to bruises. A decoction of leaves has been taken as a tuberculosis remedy and a strengthening tonic. The sweet nectar has been siphoned from the flower tubes as a candy and an anti-convulsive. An infusion of bark or chewed leaf juice has been taken as a cold remedy and to treat sore throats. Vine pieces have been placed under pillows to induce sleep. The stems have been used as a black dye. The vines have been used as building material. The fiber from the stems has been used as twine and thread. This genus is named for German naturalist Adam Lonitzer. The twining habit of this plant creates nest areas for small birds. (Washington Native Plant Society)

King County’s culvert hunters — and a $9 billion plan to save salmon habitat
....Urban creeks are the arteries and veins of the region carrying the lifeblood that animates the region’s ecology: salmon. Food for more than 123 species of animals — including endangered southern resident killer whales that frequent Puget Sound. It’s no desk job, being a culvert hunter. These are the field medics looking for the blockages impairing the health of the region’s signature fish in their home waters. Lynda Mapes reports.  (Seattle Times)

The PNW is a leader on forage fish management — but it needs better data
A U.S. Senate bill highlights West Coast progressiveness in managing fisheries, but even our region is a long way off from really knowing what’s out there. Hannah Weinberger reports. (Crosscut)

DFO ignored pleas from scientists, altered report to downplay risks to imperilled steelhead: docs
More than 2,600 pages of government documents shed new light on allegations Fisheries and Oceans Canada ignored scientists when forgoing protections for disappearing Thompson and Chilcotin steelhead. Stephanie Wood reports. (The Narwhal)

Buried danger: A slumbering geologic fault beneath us
An earthquake along the southern Whidbey Island fault reshaped the land some 2,700 years ago. Another big one is expected, and it could be devastating. Part 1 of 3. Julia-Grace Sanders reports. (Everett Herald) Built on pudding: Can modern quake engineering prevail?  Part 2 of 3. Julia Grace-Sanders reports.

Invasive green crabs continue to spread in Washington, especially in coastal estuaries
European green crabs were found in Washington’s inland waters in 2016, prompting extensive monitoring. Now state officials say this destructive invasive species is spreading in several coastal locations. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX)

‘A Garage Sale for the Last Old Growth’
As BC’s watchdog slams the province’s own logging agency for wrecking ecosystems, advocates demand action. A special report. Zoe Yunker reports. (The Tyee)

To restore Sidney Island’s ecology, a push to kill 500 fallow deer
A coalition of First Nations, property owners and Parks Canada is planning a “final eradication” of the invasive species that will see up to 500 of the animals rounded up and killed. Darron Kloster reports. (Victoria Times Colonist)

Unceded: Why we acknowledge, or don't, that B.C. First Nations never signed away land
Who, ultimately, possesses the land? That is a question at the root of the territorial acknowledgments that have become pervasive across Canada, a sombre public rite...As the Canadian writer Stephan Marche once said, “Acknowledgments force individuals and institutions to ask a basic, nightmarish question: ‘Whose land are we on?’” Douglas Todd writes. (Vancouver Sun)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  646 AM PDT Mon May 17 2021   
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH  TUESDAY MORNING   
TODAY  SW wind to 10 kt rising to 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. SW swell 2 ft at 16 seconds. A chance of  rain in the afternoon. 
TONIGHT  SW wind 15 to 25 kt becoming W after midnight. Wind  waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 5 ft at 9 seconds. Rain in the evening  then a chance of showers after midnight.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe, send your name and email to msato (@) salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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5/14 Christmas anemone, no to Snake dam removal, mouth rot, Semiahmoo Bay, Green-Duwamish plan, Active Pass tankers, razor clams, parapinopsin

Christmas anemone [Mary Jo Adams]

 
Christmas anemone  Urticina crassicornis
This is a relatively large anemone. Its open crown of tentacles may be 10 inches across. The stalk may be solid red, cream, or brown or it may be blotched olive green and red. The tentacles are thick and blunt with bands of color. Watch for it low in the intertidal in protected areas such as under rock ledges. This anemone is a nonselective predator and may live for 80 years. It was formerly named Tealia crassicornis.(Mary Jo Adams/Sound Water Stewards)

Gov. Inslee, Washington state’s U.S. senators reject GOP congressman’s pitch on Lower Snake River dam removal
Washington state’s U.S. senators and its governor have joined forces against a proposal from U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, to remove four hydroelectric dams on the Lower Snake River and replace their benefits as part of a multitrillion dollar infrastructure bill being crafted by the Biden administration. The proposal had gained the support of Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., as well as many tribes, after it was announced last winter. Lynda Mapes reports. (Seattle Times)

‘They never said a word’: DFO told B.C. salmon farmers, but not First Nations, about mouth rot infestation
Documents released under access to information legislation show federal scientists raised the alarm about a bacteria that causes potentially deadly lesions in Atlantic salmon, saying migrating Fraser River salmon were at risk. Sarah Cox reports. (The Narwhal)

Semiahmoo Bay shellfish harvest could be restored – SFN chief says
Improving water quality to revitalize shellfish harvesting in SFN’s traditional territory is a possibility, according to Semiahmoo First Nation Chief Harley Chappell. Chappell – a member of the trans-boundary Shared Waters Alliance – joined Christy Juteau, conservation science director of Arocha Canada, to discuss the idea as part of White Rock council’s regular online meeting May 10. Alex Browne reports. (Surrey Now-Leader)

Ecology adopts new watershed plan for Duwamish-Green river basin
A new watershed plan for the Duwamish-Green river basin lays out projects and actions to protect and improve fish habitat, while also ensuring sufficient water is available for rural residents. The Washington Department of Ecology adopted the plan for the Duwamish-Green watershed, also known as Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 9 on May 11. (Dept of Ecology News Release)

Alarm Over Oil Tanker Using Active Pass 
The BC Coast Pilots Association is taking a look at whether Active Pass and Porlier Pass in the Gulf Islands should continue to be used by pilots guiding freighters and oil tankers. It comes after an oil tanker was recently seen passing through Active Pass. The narrow passage has strong tidal currents and is used several times a day by BC Ferries for vessels sailing between Vancouver Island and Metro Vancouver. The BC Coast Pilots Association says Active Pass is not used much, but it is a legitimate route for larger vessels to use while transiting the Salish Sea. Mike Patterson reports. (My Cowichan Valley Now)

Toxins have thwarted razor clam season in Washington. This two-day window might be your only chance
For the first time this season it will be safe to dig for and eat razor clams. Don’t miss your chance because for now, it will only be allowed for two days, according to the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. The approved window is only at Mocrocks Beach in Moclips, Grays Harbor County, during low tides this Saturday at 9:37 a.m. and Monday at 11:03 a.m. Amanda Zhou reports. (Seattle Times)

UW researchers think a fish might be the answer to treating mood disorders, addiction
University of Washington researchers are studying how to control the brain. They might have found the answer in an eel-like fish. In a paper published in May, researchers at UW Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis and other institutions say they have successfully used a protein called parapinopsin to manipulate neurons and certain neurotransmitters. The protein comes from a lamprey — a type of jawless fish similar to an eel — and researchers hope it could eventually be used to treat mood disorders, addiction, depression and even pain. Amanda Zhou reports. (Seattle Times)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 5/14/21: Fintastic Friday, grey whale deaths, derelict vessels, Big Melt, WA ferries, Arctic drilling, Big Bar salmon, poor BC resource mngt, sage grouse, Nahmint logging, curbing climate change, Skagit dams, mouth rot, Snake R dams

Now, your weekend tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  538 AM PDT Fri May 14 2021   
TODAY  W wind to 10 kt becoming NW 10 to 20 kt in the  afternoon. Wind waves 1 ft or less building to 1 to 3 ft in the  afternoon. W swell 4 ft at 6 seconds. 
TONIGHT  W wind 10 to 20 kt becoming SW to 10 kt after  midnight. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft subsiding to 1 ft or less after  midnight. W swell 6 ft at 7 seconds. 
SAT  W wind to 10 kt becoming NW in the afternoon. Wind waves  2 ft or less. W swell 6 ft at 7 seconds. 
SAT NIGHT  W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming SW after midnight. Wind  waves 2 ft or less. W swell 4 ft at 7 seconds. 
SUN  W wind to 10 kt rising to 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 1 ft or less building to 1 to 3 ft in the afternoon. W  swell 5 ft at 7 seconds.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe, send your name and email to msato (@) salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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5/13 Fairy slipper, Nahmint forest, curbing carbon, Big Melt, Chico Cr bridge, Skagit dams, green crab, yellow-breasted chat, decolonizing seabirds

Fairy slipper [Bill Bouton/WikiMedia]

 
Fairy slipper Calypso bulbosa
The jewel-like fairy slipper, also known as calypso orchid or calypso bulbosa in Latin, is one of more than 40 native orchids found in the state of Washington, and at least seven species that can be found on the Quimper Peninsula. Each fairy slipper flower is solitary on a short stem emerging from a single broad basal leaf. The name calypso refers to the lid or hood (from the Greek word kalyptra, meaning covering or veil) that protects the reproductive parts of the flower. Like many terrestrial orchids, the fairy slipper has a bulbous root, inspiring its species name, bulbosa. They are sometimes called Venus’ slipper after the Greek goddess of love and beauty. Katherine Darrow/Port Townsend Leader)

B.C. ‘shouldn’t have approved’ plan that failed to protect Nahmint old-growth forests: watchdog
A three-year review by the forest practices board found the provincial government did not meet its legal objective to protect ecosystems and ancient forests in a treasured Vancouver Island watershed. Sarah Cox reports. (The Narwhal)

Community Voices / Local team launches innovative approach to help curb climate change
We must act, not just worry, and use as many solutions to curb climate change as we can, say a team of professors, graduate fellows, student interns and sustainability professionals working on one solution for Whatcom County — that can be replicated anywhere. Allison Roberts writes with reporting by Kiahna White-Alcain. (Salish Current)

How The Big Melt Will Change Life for People and Nature
As BC’s coastal mountain glaciers recede the effects alter ecosystems. Can human engineering begin to compensate? Second in a series. Christopher Pollon reports. (The Tyee)

'Herculean effort' will build new Highway 3 bridge over Chico Creek to help salmon passage
Two years of construction work that will remove box culverts under Highway 3 and build a bridge over Chico Creek is set to begin this fall, according to the state's Department of Transportation. Transportation officials say the $58.3 million project will improve salmon habitat and migration in perhaps Kitsap County's most abundant salmon stream. But the complex work to help fish passage makes for a tricky balancing act to ensure human passage remains as smooth as possible during construction.  Josh Farley reports. (Kitsap Sun)

Stakeholders: Proposed Skagit River dam studies "inadequate"
Despite Seattle City Light expanding its study plan associated with the relicensing process of its Skagit River dams, at least 17 commenting government agencies, tribes and nonprofits wrote in letters last week that they remain dissatisfied. From the National Marine Fisheries Service to the Skagit County Board of Commissioners to the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, those with legal, cultural and economic stakes in how Seattle City Light manages the dams used terms such as “inadequate” and “data gaps” to describe Seattle’s revised study plan. Kimberly Cauvel reports. (Skagit Valley Herald)

The Bright Side of the Green Crab
In Nova Scotia, a suite of innovative projects has creatively met this invasive species head on. Moira Donovan reports. (Hakai Magazine)

Rare yellow bird needs wild roses to survive in British Columbia, researcher says
A little yellow bird's rescue from the brink of extinction in British Columbia hinges on an oft-overlooked wild flower in the province's Okanagan region, according to one Canadian government researcher. The importance of local wild roses emerged over a nearly 20-year experiment concentrating on the yellow-breasted chat, a tiny bird whose characteristics and precarious status have preoccupied scientists for decades. Hina Alam reports. (CBC)

Decolonizing Seabirds
A cultural working group is developing Hawaiian names for seabirds in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, after an extensive period of colonization eradicated many of those names. Jason Gregg reports. (Hakai Magazine)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  246 AM PDT Thu May 13 2021   
TODAY  Light wind becoming N to 10 kt in the afternoon. Wind  waves 1 ft or less. W swell 2 ft at 10 seconds. 
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell  2 ft at 10 seconds.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe, send your name and email to msato (@) salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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5/12 Ladybeetle, BC audit, gray whales, orca 'grand slam,' creosote removal, CG base, offshore wind farm, 'brownfields,' sage grouse, Geoff James named

 

Harmonia axyridis [entomart]

Harmonia axyridis
Harmonia axyridis, most commonly known as the harlequin, multicolored Asian, or Asian ladybeetle, is a large coccinellid beetle. This is one of the most variable species in the world, with an exceptionally wide range of color forms. It is native to eastern Asia, but has been artificially introduced to North America and Europe to control aphids and scale insects. It is now common, well known, and spreading in those regions, and has also established in Africa and widely across South America. This species is conspicuous in North America, where it may locally be known as the Halloween ladybeetle. It earns this name as it often invades homes during October to overwinter. When the species first arrived in the UK, it was labelled in jest as the "many-named ladybird" due to the great quantity of vernacular names. Among those already listed other names include multivariate, southern, Japanese, and pumpkin ladybird.(Wikipedia)

B.C. auditor general flags province’s inadequate management of lands, fish and wildlife
An audit of the province’s conservation program shows how B.C. is failing to address a biodiversity crisis, including monitoring and enforcement gaps and a lack of collaboration with First Nations. Matt Simmons reports. (The Narwhal)

Special group of gray whales returns each year for shrimp ‘buffet' around Whidbey Island
Every spring, gray whales migrate up the West Coast on a 12,000-mile round-trip from their calving grounds in Mexico to the Alaskan Arctic, where they feed on tiny crustaceans. Since early 2019, an unusual mortality event has reduced their population by more than 20 percent. Whales wash up severely emaciated or sometimes suffer from ship strikes or entanglements made worse by lack of food. But researchers in Washington have identified a small group of gray whales that returns to Puget Sound every year in what seems to be a survival strategy. Nicknamed “the Sounders,” they engage in a risky feeding maneuver in the tidelands around Whidbey and Camano islands. Their ranks appear to be growing. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (kNKX)

Rare grouping of whales spotted near Friday Harbor over Mother’s Day weekend
The Pacific Whale Watch Association said that at least two whale watching companies got a “grand slam,” which in the whale world, means seeing four species of whales in the same trip. Some companies celebrate grand slams by hanging out trophies to the crew or taking a cold plunge into the Salish Sea. (KIRO)

State officials removing tons of toxic debris from Camano Island
A relic of the past is causing problems on Camano Island, again. In 2009, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) pulled 100 tons of creosote-coated pilings from the area. But the tide has carried more into Elger Bay. Michael Crowe reports. (KING)

Coast Guard could triple base size on Seattle waterfront as U.S. ramps up Arctic presence
The U.S. Coast Guard is proposing a renovation and expansion of its Seattle waterfront base that during the next decade will be home to three new icebreakers, and probably other vessels. The Coast Guard’s aging Seattle operations hub supports Pacific Northwest and polar missions. It will have a higher profile role in the coming years as the U.S. ramps up its presence in an Arctic region rapidly changing as the climate warms. Hal Bernton reports. (Seattle Times)

Interior Department approves first large-scale offshore wind farm in the U.S.
The Biden administration on Tuesday approved the first large-scale offshore wind farm in the United States, a project that envisions building 62 turbines off Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts and creating enough electricity to power 400,000 homes. Vineyard Wind is the first of several massive offshore wind-farm proposals that could put more than 3,000 wind turbines in the Atlantic Ocean from Maine to North Carolina. Joshua Partlow reports. (Washington Post)

EPA sets grants to restore ‘brownfields’ at blighted sites
The Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday announced more than $66 million in grants to 151 communities nationwide to assess and clean up contaminated or abandoned “brownfields” — industrial and commercial properties that contain a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant. An estimated 450,000 brownfields, including abandoned industrial facilities, waste disposal sites and former gas stations, plague cities, towns and rural areas throughout the country. Matthew Daly reports. (Associated Press)

BLM will revisit sage grouse protections after Trump’s attempt to open habitat for mining
The Bureau of Land Management announced Tuesday that it will revisit a key provision of sage grouse protection plans that would limit mining and drilling on the birds’ habitat. Environmental groups see this as a chance to build upon a landmark deal reached in 2015 to safeguard the iconic birds and their delicate sagebrush-steppe habitat across the American West. (radley W. Parks reports. (OPB)

Port of Port Angeles picks new executive director
Port of Port Angeles commissioners selected former NATO officer Geoff James as the tax district’s new executive director following an executive session Tuesday. Paul Gottlieb reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  247 AM PDT Wed May 12 2021   
TODAY  W wind to 10 kt becoming 5 to 15 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 3 ft at 10 seconds. A chance of  rain in the morning. 
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 15 kt. Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell  3 ft at 10 seconds.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe, send your name and email to msato (@) salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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